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It's Time For A Game, Kids
i believe this is pretty self explanatory, post IC and have your OC say what they like about the OC above them. be sure to give more than two-word answers tho! im sure you wouldnt like that if some put that low of an effort into a reply to your oc. you dont have to write paragraphs either just - yknow, a response that has effort into it!
lets mcfreakin lose it!!!
As Ace and Xander conversed, NV watched from a distance. They were far too intimidated to be even near them, and was content with this far post. After all, they would just ruin the friendly air among them. Them, a flaw, compared to the two perfect beings over there.
Xander, with a bright, vibrant look. Even from this far the Sin could see the beautiful lines around his eyes that formed from years of smiling; his hair so well kept and groomed. He was the epitome of clean and robust. Then there was his voice, so angelic and clear. Hearing him talk alone was like being treated to the opera. Xander was so remarkable and perfect that even Death could not bear to take him and his talents away.
Then there was Ace, naturally born godlike and perfect, with such beautiful, flowing hair and eyes reminiscent of autumn. NV could tell just by watching her that she was skilled and clever, capable of feeling out her situation and finding advantages.
The two of them were perfect beings reveling in each others' talents. NV admired them from the distance, envying them. If only they could be a fraction as wonderful, maybe then people would like them.
Shrike, who was infamous for being a bit of a pest, was trying really hard not to be, at the moment. She didn't want to startle Aiko, but after being told the younger woman wouldn't have minded a hug... Shrike, who was also very fond of hugs, felt so conflicted on what to actually do here. She preened herself in dead silence for a few moments, picking at the dead skin around her fingernails. Only once or twice did she look back at Aiko, until now when she spent a third time studying the fragile-looking person before her. She hummed the first few notes of a song, before at last speaking to the other.
"I like what you said about my hair. I worked hard on it." she said, "I don't think you're the type to really enjoy hugs, you know? But, if you insist, I will give you one." Probably one strong enough to snap Aiko's spine. Let's hope not.
"But, you know, you are way too cute, too, and that just simply is not fair." She complimented, her voice softening. "Really, I think that you are a lot prettier than you probably think you are-- I especially like your hair, too, right? I could never go for that color. Your hair... is natural, is it?" She slid slightly closer to Aiko and rested her hand atop the other's shoulder, albeit with some hesitation.
Here, she couldn't really be Shrike.
"Just keep your chin up, alright? Or else, I will not take you to nice places." she told her, "I can take you back to my trailer. We can watch a movie. Do you like movies? You are going to love my movies, whether you just... like them in general or not, yes? Yes. You will. Or, I could take you to a theater. Either way, we are going to see a good movie, I promise."
i forgot to write a follow-up bc i forgot i even posted in this thread. hi rusty.
Brown made a mistake by coming here, and for reasons that are likely obvious, but let's move on. Shrike stood before Brown, her pale eyes following the older woman as she spoke, but seeming blissfully unaware of the predatory nature in which she circled her. She was content with acting like a dumbass, anyway.
Something about viewing her as an equal, something about energetic-- the latter she much appreciated. She liked to believe she was full of zest. The only problem here was that she was speaking with a potential murderer. That weighed heavily on her mind. But, apparently, having the hots for a dying ecoterrorist didn't.
"Thanks." Shrike puffed out her chest pridefully. "I work out every day." What did this have to do with anything? "I do not think powers and things like that are needed, anyway. I am friends with... with this man, this man who is a roboticist, he has the ability to work with technology to do his... well, his work. But, he is a little fat. And I work out." ..Nevermind, she was trying to brag.
"But, really! Really. I do respect those words, the words that I am on par with one such as yourself!" she exclaimed, "Such a wonderful thing, that, to have friends who say these things about you!" You and Brown are not friends. "Kindness does make the world go around, would you say? Yes? Yes! Yes, it does for me, anyways." She flipped back a tuft of her hair.
"And, you know, since you're here, and I was just talking to the other girl-- other woman, I guess, not that you are a girl, you are a grown woman-- I was thinking we could go and get a bite! All of us. At a meaty place. Or, I could get a bite for you. You seem the kind of woman to like her steak under medium. Blue rare, even, yes?"
Hopefully Brown appreciated that last comment, considering her whole "savage wolf" motif. Even then, Shrike had plans to get this lady the bloodiest steak imaginable. She herself was fine just... eating pickles the entire time.
With a raised brow, the middle-aged woman was quick to comment, "Your energy is always admirable for someone so young... Usually I do not care so much for people who lack the wrinkles and stress to be considered a peer of mine, but you... You are an exception. And I mean this in the best way possible. I could almost consider you an equal... Almost." Brown tittered into her knuckles before playfully rolling her eyes and brushing some imaginary dust off her hands. She had heard of Shrike before, though... Not exactly the person underneath that mask and flashy cape. It almost reminded her of when she was young, though regarding that matter, she kept her lips tightly shut.
She instead thought that circling around this other party and looking like she was about to pounce at any given moment was a good idea, and so she did. Her nose even twitched as she continued to examine Shrike - ranging from her platinum blond hair to that persistent smile that she always wore on her face. Though... Wait... That smile... Birds cannot smile... Right? Their beaks lack the facial muscles required to do so. Fair, but that's a weird assumption to make there, ma'am.
Brown stopped for a second and looked at her with an almost perturbed expression before stating, "You... You and your demeanor though... They are familiar. I can recognize that peppy attitude from a glance." Her lip almost curled into a snarl as her cool smile eventually fizzled out of existence. Almost. Her face, though, remained remarkably straight, for she had that sinking feeling that playing around with anyone whom resembled her late husband started to make her feel all visceral and primal once again.
The aristocrat kicked her boots against the white tile floor, likely out of frustration.
"Not that it is a bad thing, of course," she clarified after clearing her throat, "at least not inherently. What matters is that you put your attitude to good use. Helping other people and the like - and in turn helping yourself..." The faintest hint of a smile started to return on Brown's face as she nodded at Shrike. "... I believe that's the right way to use that energy, to be productive with it. Of course, it will take me a while to get over my instinctual disdain for people like, say, you, but who knows?" She lifted her hand to her mouth - conveniently covering her smile in the process - as she continued to giggle. "Wouldn't that be right, miss?"
"Besides, I do not think that you need powers to do your job. You already have your mind and matter working together well, and that... I can admire and respect that - at the very least."
Wow, a genuine compliment from Brown? Surprising. Hopefully she doesn't retract it if she gets pissed.
oh sweet sweet Aaron.... I love him and would die for him, but why does he keep endangering himself like this.... actually, she's not that mean in this interaction because she actually.... kind of likes him.... oops.
it's time for a (holy fuck this is long) follow-up....
Brown turned up her nose as she eyed the lad. She supposed that she couldn't really dislike him, given that he seemed so... Inherently harmless; the woman imagined herself squishing his face like some marshmallow - which was kind of weird but at least it was better than... You know... What she thought of her husband the day that he died. (That was, admittedly, a pretty low bar considering how much she resented Skinner for virtually everything.)
Even then, she couldn't resist the narrative of the rabbit and the wolf, with the latter inevitably turning its fangs against the former and tearing it apart in such a gruesome fashion... After providing it with apparent love and care at first. The story was meant to characterize the wolf as a treacherous brute who did nothing more than hurt anyone in their wake, but for whatever reason, she couldn't see herself actually hurting this man - not when he stood up to her and then ordered her a dinner she actually liked.
In other words, she was appeased by that offering of meat from a while back. And it was pretty damn tasty meat too from her recounting; the memory of it was enough to make her hungry for something like that again. Preferably sooner than later, of course.
The woman could taunt him, jab at him until he snapped, make sure that she was the only influence in his life (all at the expense of him and others), but... Could she imagine in a fate similar to her former husband's? No.
She blinked at him without a word as he spoke, even if he was the one who approached her first. With almost any other person in almost any other situation, she would start to bristle, her hackles raising as she narrowed her eyes at the other party and expected one of two things: an insult telling her that she was a disgusting witch and mantis who deserved to go to hell, or a stupidly oblivious flirtation treating her as a trophy or object to be won over. Brown already knew, however, from her previous interactions with him would never suffice to anything about it. He was just too nice, and as saccharine as it felt for someone as jaded as her...
The aristocrat found herself appreciating that. Just ever so slightly. (Even if he was a lad.)
"I see," Brown replied to him with a dip of her head, "I am glad that you see me as such... An admirable figure. I actually did not embrace the rumors initially, as anyone would do when confronted with such slander, but..." She even gave him a thin smile that seemed... Genuine? Was this even the real Brown he was confronting? "... Over time, yes, I took them as mine. Join them if you cannot beat them, I suppose. It sounds weak, almost laughable, but look how it turned out for me in the end. I now shine as my own entity. People will remember me for what I did even after I am long gone, and I can't say that I give a shit about whether that was true or not." She craned his neck towards him before hissing more ominously, "... And so should you, sir."
But it did mean a lot to her, even as he shied away from her relentless look. Sure, it wasn't necessarily a unique comment, but coming from someone like the boy, she appreciated it a lot. She definitely would've appreciated it a lot more than if it came out of someone else's mouth anyhow. The woman giggled gently before standing a distance away from him once more.
Her giggling trailed off, though, when the topic of fossils was brought up. For once, Brown seemed genuinely stunned as she looked at him and thought, Really!? Is he... Sure about that? Usually, when someone said that, they were either looking for a way to insult her more deeply or worm their way into her twisted, withered heart. She held a hand to her mouth while looking at him, genuinely speechless. No mean words, no snide gestures, just... Silence.
Goodness, she thought her heart was starting to melt a bit from the sincerity in that comment. Brown hoped this wasn't a mistake, but as she lowered her palm, she regarded the youth with a gentle, genuinely tender smile.
All she could really reply to him was, "I would love to do that as well. You know that it is my passion, but... You have no idea how much I've kept that under lock-and-key for my own well-being..." She cleared her throat. "... You should scatter along now, young one. I will try to unlock my knowledge, and perhaps when you come back later, I will be ready to give it to you."
"You're a brave kid, " he said with a smile. "Brave with some moxie, " Nathaniel continued. He knelt a bit in front of Aaron to get on eye-level with him. It maybe be a bit belittling. But Nathaniel didn't mean it mean-spirited. His smile grew a bit wider as he carefully grabbed Aaron's shoulder. "You may know that the world is dangerous, especially after what happened... With your friend. Back in the theater. But don't lose your kindness kid. Or you're going to end up like me, " Nathaniel let out howling laughter. "And ol' man if the sea with a longing to go back. Cherish your friends, kid. As the world is a lonely place."
--
Nathaniel smiled brightly at her. He softly rubbed a hand through his hair. "A gent you say?" Ha, he beat people to a pulp for a living. "Well, I'm honestly flattered, " Nathaniel continued. And he meant it. He cocked his head slightly. "I don't think I never told you my name, " so far the whole 'it's better that you don't know me' attitude. "It's Nathaniel by the way. Nathaniel Clement. But friends call me Nath."
At first, it didn't seem like Smith really cared about her visitor. Her visage was always the slightest bit glassy, and it wasn't because it was transparent; if anything, everything was a blur, everything was just a little bit smudged. She had remembered that he had visited her twice, and that was it. Maybe he was a little large, maybe he was a little more restrained around her than usual (and she could sort of tell). But that wasn't definite, and she dared not utter that in front of him.
She did, however, at least give him a smile in spite of her fight-or-flight instincts kicking in like she had just met the Easterling the first time. When that first happened, her heart hammered against her chest, and she actually felt her muscles tensing up as the thought of her dying became more and more feasible. Now that was something that virtually never happened ever since she admitted into the hospice, and she only had one person to thank... How macabre.
"Well, you at least keep me company," the woman told him with a nod, "I... I know that the bar is so low, but... I appreciate it anyway. I think you already know why." She picked at the seam of her gown once more before biting down on her lip. Today was one of the days where she wasn't as catatonic, where everything was just a little bit clearer; she had no idea how long it'd last, but for what seemed like the first time in decades, she was genuinely afraid of what would happen when the period inevitably expired.
Smith wanted to mention how he at least visited her more often than her husband, who quite literally never turned up at the hospice ever again after dropping her off. It was a blur, as per usual, but she didn't want to mention that. True but too harsh, she reasoned to herself before that thought ended up fizzling into nothing. That was all she could really reason from it. Nothing about what it implied, nothing asking why her husband always seemed to leave her alone...
Continuing from her last thought, the woman opined, "But... I think... Even then, you're at least kind to me when you visit. You're patient too, especially with someone like myself. Maybe a little bit too patient. I'm so sorry." She giggled into her palm before letting out a quiet yet still audible sigh. "I think you told me once that I'd be better off if I didn't know you, but that doesn't seem to be the case," she mumbled, "because you at least give me something to do. I know I speak nonsense, I know I don't do much, but... I'd rather talk with you than just sit around here all day and... Do... Do nothing." Her finger twitched as a string came free from her gown, though she didn't pull at it.
"Is that unusual?" she asked with a gulp, "I think even if you're a bit rough on the outside, you're really quite the gentleman... One who allows me to do something, I guess." Smith chuckled. Her finger stopped twitching. "I don't want to keep you here if you don't want to, of course. But... If you want to, you're always welcome to visit. You don't even need to write me about it. Just let the aides know, and you'll be fine."
*cartwheels in* time for a follow-up..... au revoir, Smith. :")))
The young woman shuddered as she stood in the shadow of the other party. Their height difference likely wasn't even that bad, but Smith was just so terrified that she shrunk herself to the point that it really did seem like he was taller than her. Much, much taller than her to be more specific.
Weakly raising a hand, she stammered, "Oh... Ummm... That's... Good, at least?", after a brisk nod. Then she proceeded to chuckle, albeit in the most miserable sense of the word. She honestly felt for once that she was obligated to do so, because if she didn't do what she thought the other party wanted, he was going to kill her right then and there. And how would her husband feel about it? Her son? Smith didn't know, but she wanted to know, or at least hope.
Maybe, in spite of all that iciness, he really does love me... she thought while spindling her hands together. Wouldn't that be wonderful? It was a bit of a scary thought, but also a reassuring one. It'd sure make the thought of potentially dying less intimidating - at the very least. It made her draw in a sharp breath before she tried to stand up straight, though her efforts were obvious based off how her spindly frame seemed to waver in the nonexistent wind.
"Yes, smiles are always nice," she told him with a nod, "I heard that if you smile often, you're more likely to actually feel happy." Smith had no idea how true that actually was, but alas. She giggled and held a hand up to her mouth, conveniently masking it from the other party; underneath that palm laid a very tense, very "please help me" expression. Even then, though, she felt the smallest prick of guilt given that... Well... This fellow actually seemed to act warmly towards her. Warmer than her husband at least.
"So... I just live by that principle, just to make the days go by better, hm? I know it sounds a bit dark, but I do mean it in the most optimistic way possible." Sure.
Her hands suddenly drooped as the man stepped forward and craned his neck in her direction. Smith was indeed smiling at him, but at what cost? She had the feeling that it was likely at the cost of her life, but questions regarding mortality were never exactly ones she wanted to tackle anyway. She gulped before hunching her shoulders and smiling more.
"Well," she mumbled while twiddling with her thumbs, "I... I think that's the case, you know? But not like... They were forcing me or anything, of course!" A raucous giggle came out of her before she glanced off to the side. "I just like being around other people, I guess. They make me happy. I don't like being alone, and... It's just nice when I have people to talk too, I guess." Another giggle, but more forced, more rough. She sighed and eventually rubbed the back of her neck. Her smile shrank ever so slightly too, a bit foolish in hindsight but realistic in the moment. "Like... Even you, I think. I'm usually encouraged to stay... Stay quiet, so when I talk... I talk a lot... Or something along those lines-" Smith's voice ended up as a squeak as she shrank herself all over again. If she had any momentum in the conversation, it was long-gone, and she could feel beads of sweat forming on her forehead at this very moment.
"What do I like, what do I like...? :)" Smiley hummed as he swayed his head from side-to-side. He stared out the window before quickly spinning around to face Smith, he traced the drawn smile on his bag with both index fingers. "Your smile, of course. :)" he sang. "You see, there are many, many, MANY kinds of smiles! Oh-so many! :) Big ones, small ones, wide ones, narrow ones. Happy ones, sAd ones. :)" His body froze for a brief second at the last line. "And they all show just how happy people are. And I think that's swell. Don't you think that's swell? I think it's swell. :) And your smile is elegant. Small and sweet. :) I likes smiles like those. :)" He got closer and leaned over. It almost felt like the drawn eyes were staring directly at her. "Someone else helped make this smile for you. :) I see, I see, I see it very clearly. :) What wonderful skills. I wonder what they're like? :)"
Fjjskfkskck
"Yikes! Another one!?" As SiLk slams down the news paper, and slides it away from him. He was terrified. He had just finish reading another news article Smiley had headlined, there was another victim last night. This one was close to where SiLk lived. Everytime SiLk reads an article or even a hint of whispers of another Smiley slaying it gave him chills. SiLk composes himself and leans back on his chair and re grabs the article to look at it. "And they still haven't caught him! I am impress that he has been able to elude the authorities this long! Suppose I do like that about him. He doesn't even need fancy gadgets to remain elusive." As he looks down at his own gears. "Nope... Just a paperbag with a creepy smile on it..." As he shivers in fear again. "I have all of these things and they STILL catch up to me..."
As SiLk got up he felt someone behind him. He turns around to look and to his surprise, it was Smiley!!! His fears of meeting Smiley had came true! SiLk froze in fear and lets out a weak squeak, "I.. I like your smile. Haha.." As he laughed nervously. He then lets out a hellacious blood curdling scream. He quickly grabs the news paper and tosses it at Smiley. Then re-screams comically, flails his arms, running away!
When the demon spoke fondly of SiLk he was very happy and was nodding along! Agreeing with everyword! Flirt. Cute. Funny. And she touched him! He flutters in happiness! Oh my gosh a date!? Really now?! Yes of course SiLk would love it. But then... When her eyes changed colors and he heard that voice.... He almost pissed himself. He gulps. He spoke in a shivery weak voice... "I.. Uh... I think..." He randomly points to a direction behind her, attempting to make her look that way. "LOOK! It's a Rian!!!" Then flees as quick and as fast as he possibly can! Screaming as loud as he can.
"There are plenty of traits to admire in somebody," Kiushhu started, bowing a little to the other being as a symbol of respect, "But from what I remember of you, I think that your ability to continue staying kind despite your history is brave."
Their head tilted downwards," Noble, even. You owe the world no kindness, and could tear things apart given your form and history."
"It's something to be respected and remembered; That good can exist despite the evils committed against one."
Their form felt even smaller in comparison to the tallness of the demon, chuckling just slightly to themself. Their species was already small compared to a human, and now they seemed downright tiny.
"...Has anyone told you that you are--- very tall?"
----
Kiushhu chuckled softly, mumbling a soft 'thanks' after every compliment, shying away just slightly.
"I thank you greatly for the praise, you are...very kind."
Being praised so highly was something they weren't entirely used to, but they were very thankful none the less.
“You’re really cute! For someone so...” she stared at Kiushhu, “Disproportionate?”
“I won’t pretend I understand what’s going on with your species, I’ve never been too good with alien stuff, but I can tell that you’re a big deal. I know a powerful person when I see one— and you know what I respect? Powerful people who do their best to help others! Nothing like dedicating yourself to a cause, right? Gives you a reason to live, and stuff like that? Super admirable, friend~ Keep at it, I’ll be cheering for you on the side! <3”
“Speaking of, I one hundo agree with the whole ‘surrender is better than death’ thing. Well, at least the concept. It’s a waste of a life if you’re just gonna get yourself in trouble and die, you know? The most important thing is to know when to retreat and to not waste any more sacrifices. That’s super valuable.”
“Can I just say I also quite like the gruff outside but galant inside trope? :)”
Noel already had a soft spot for young women. If his daughter wouldn't respect him, then he damn well better find a new daughter who will love him and appreciate him... Okay, no, he didn't know Jine too well, but even then, he couldn't help but find her soft, bubbly disposition endearing at first, but then fairly interesting as he learned just how hardworking she was, and then how she looked after herself... There was something to be admired about that. The elderly man knew that he could never pull that sort of thing off. Cons of being a massive sixty-year-old ex-war criminal.
"You're smarter than you let on." he commented, though his voice was soft as though he were speaking to a little animal. "You should be proud of that. If only more young women were like you." He let out a laugh, though it sounded rather lifeless. "I may not agree with you being so... cunning, though I suppose so far it's worked out well for you. I assume you use that sort of thing to your advantage?"
"It's a bit fucking difficult to really figure out who you really are, though." He added, "Not that it matters, I suppose. Again, you benefit from being a bit of a... I don't know how to fucking word it. A cute little mystery?"
He leaned away from her and adjusted the hood of his heavy cloak. That frown on his face, which seemed permanent before, lessening into something more neutral. He rubbed his mutilated hand against his forehead, peeking at the young woman from between the gaps of his few remaining fingers.
"It's funny, though. You had to speak to my nephew once, yes? My fucking condolences, he's a bitch. A son of a bitch." A second passed, before he barked out a more genuine, hearty, but still raspy bit of laughter. "For dealing with him, I don't have any fruit tea, I'm afraid, but I do have some apple jam. My treat for you, young lady."
ew it's a follow-up
It felt wrong to him. Dolores lived alone in the mountains. One could say such was the same for Noel, but he had his daughter as company, as difficult and uncooperative as she was, but as far as he knew, Dolores only had a dog, which was fine company, but not to him. Speaking of, he fortunately couldn't hear that evil rat snuffling around the room some ways from where the two of them sat. Or, if he could hear her, he opted to focus on his tea, moving the cup slightly to watch the liquid flow and sway as he listened to the woman across from him. To know that he managed to make her life a bit better through whatever means meant a lot to him. It warmed his cold, dead heart. Even if the only reaction he gave her at first was a forlorn sigh as he placed his cup onto the table.
Noel locked his very even amount of fingers together as he listened to the woman. His gaze rested on her for only a moment before moving on to stare across the room. His expression changed into a mild frown as she carried on. Maybe he should talk to her more.
It would certainly lift some of the awkwardness here.
"I'd feel like shit if you came all the way up to my house often." said Noel. He knew full well that the shitshack he lived in was neither the cleanest nor the safest, and that the chocolate cake they had shared a long time ago probably had dirt and paint chips in it and he just hoped she hadn't noticed. "I just have to... swallow the fact about your hound and visit every so often, though I suppose outings in different places wouldn't hurt. I can't say I'd fit into a dainty little tea room, however..." It'd be like dragging a bull into a china shop, except the bull isn't throwing a tantrum, but it really feels like it should be breaking everything in sight. Better pray that Dolores knows better. "Going on a walk would be the best, but you're old, I'm old, and I think if I had to walk anymore than the miles I already do in a day, I'd drop dead." One of many reasons why he adored Bonbon.
"I don't really have a shortage of people my age where I live. We're all old soldiers. Most of us are." He continued on. He reached for his own cup again, and before he took a sip, he sighed. "But, I'm not a sweet little old lady like you are, so I haven't much chance to really... Get to know the younger ones here, as you have."
As much as Noel appreciated Dolores, however, did he really see her as an equal? He easily slipped into the mindset of "this is a thing I should probably protect" when it came to her, but he hadn't given it much thought beyond that.
And, he wasn't about to. "It's fine." he droned, "I'm almost done with my cup, anyway. I think I'll just finish up here and head out, unless you have something for me to do. I can clean, if it so pleases you, doll."
this is a bit.... long, so I'm gonna spoiler my reply so that my post is easy to scroll past- :")
As she took a sip of her tea, Dolores couldn't help but look at the elderly man with a small smile on her face. As much as it tugged at her deepest trust issues, she did have to admit that he could be considered a friend at this point. She liked his company, and she had the feeling that he liked hers... Maybe? It was so hard to tell sometimes, with that almost nonchalant expression he almost always wielded, even when he spoke kindly to her. It made her set her cup aside and wring her hands together as her focus now shifted to the other party.
Luckily, Poffin was conveniently hidden away in the older woman's room, where any of her shuffling or just general sniffs wouldn't be audible from the living room. It was a bit cruel, but... Dolores promised to herself that this would be temporary, and that it was for the best.
Even then, the silence between them remained tense before she piqued in quietly, "You know, sir... It's good to have you around, at the very least." She chuckled and popped the joints in her hands. "I know you don't talk much, and frankly, neither do I, as surprising as it is. But I don't think it's a bad thing. Sometimes, it's just nice to sit back and appreciate each other's company. You know... Just by being here, I already feel like the loneliness on the mountain won't be as bad, that it'll get better eventually." Was that a bit unusual to say? she asked herself while tugging at the collar of her coat, though she still kept that smile as if she was trying really hard to make it seem like everything was okay.
"Honestly," she added with a faintly wistful sigh, "I just... I just appreciate the fact that you came all the way up here to visit me, but that's a different issue for a different day..." She took the cup of tea once more and started to sip it. It wasn't that flavorful, but at least it wasn't bland. It tasted very faintly of matcha, the most common and cheapest type that she could find in the market. And hopefully that isn't seen as a slight... "I mean, I've visited you before, and the commitment to reciprocity is... Admirable, at the very least." And familiar, given Dolores's own experience as a generous (sometimes overly so) and deferential person!
She honestly thought that for a moment, the reason why they likely got along was because of how similar they were: they were both older individuals with their plethora of issues, all they wanted was a peaceful life away from the drama of yesteryear, and... Well... Their liking for something quiet.
"I'm sorry, ummm... I'm disturbing the atmosphere here, huh?" the old woman asked him with a small laugh, one that clearly rang with nervousness as her fingers tightened around the cup's handle. "Like... With all my blabber, or something like that... I really do apologize if that's the case, sir-" She tittered once more. "I think it's just..." Rambling, again? Really? You shouldn't be doing such a thing. You should be sticking to your words and allowing for a moment of silence.
And so, Dolores pursed her lips shut for a minute before sighing and admitting, "Well... I guess I don't normally get to be with other people my age. There's so many young people out there, as rude as it sounds. I don't mind them personally, of course, but... It's so difficult to really connect with them when you're older, and you're compelled to either serve as a parental figure or a dependent. If that makes any sense. It's just... Difficult to regard anyone as truly equal at this point in life, and I guess that's what I like about you too. You're someone whom I can really relate to, someone whose shoes I can see myself putting into without feeling too guilty... If that makes sense, of course." The older woman laughed once more before shaking her head and waving her hand aside.
"I... I know that was a lot, to be honest. Maybe more than an old woman like myself should say, really. I think it's best if we just get back to drinking tea for a moment, don't you think... Sir?"
fgvuhgsrfguihvfsifv my dude...... I'd die for Leika and Dolores's hypothetical friendship ahhhhhh- ;;
here is..... a follow-up.....
Dolores could only titter into her palm as the Easterling proceeded to eat... How many slices of cake again? Four? It was difficult to count, but not because the old lady was terrible at math; if anything, she was just surprised! Pleasantly so! Usually her guests would stop after one or two slices, especially with a cake as rich as the one she had offered the younger woman. The fact that she wouldn't have to deal with leftovers after her guest left was definitely a novelty that she welcomed with open arms.
"Well, it's basic hospitality, miss," she stated with a sigh. Her eyes trailed off to the dog sniffing and wagging her tail in the hallway, before the elder raised up a hand that sent the pooch scampering back to her room. "I can't just refuse guests who need the food, you know. It's just too cruel, to leave someone to starve like that. And especially on these mountains! Whether you get food or not can literally be a life-or-death situation up here. Of course, you need to place care into whom you accept, but..." Dolores chuckled again while eyeing the nearly empty platter of cake.
"Look at you! I think you're going to stuff yourself full with cake. I don't even know if you can eat breakfast tomorrow. There's so much butter in that thing. It's called butter cake for a reason, but... Still. It's not like cake is the only thing I know how to bake, dear."
The older woman then walked over to the tea kettle, which had just started to whistle from the steam coming out of it. She turned the stove off and watched as the puffs of vaporized water dissipated into the air, before looking over her shoulder at the other party.
She pointed a finger at the kettle, asking for a moment, "Do you want some-" Then she got interrupted. Dolores was fine with this, of course. She was used to staying quiet when someone spoke over her, and even though she had previously called out the Easterling for being a bit reckless, the older woman saw no reason to really scold her for it now. Besides! The lass was satiated with butter cake! It actually made her feel warm and fuzzy inside, warm enough to make her think - for a moment - she didn't need tea to wade off the typical chills of mountainside life.
Alas, her smile did fade a bit when the question was uttered. And she didn't even need to hear the off-hand remark about the house for that reaction to be elicited! Ouch.
"Well, I do," she answered with a nod, though her eyes remained averted as she looked back at the tea kettle. She now took the pot off the stove and opened the cupboards so that she could pull out a cup for herself. "It's peaceful up here, both for me and my dog. It's lonely too; I must admit. There's not really anybody up here who'd trek all the way up a mountain just to see an older woman and a dog, and..." She trailed off, closing the door and starting to pour the tea into her cup. "... At this point, the dog is the only one whom I really have besides the occasional guest. But it's safe here at least. I won't get too much into it, but... If I stayed in the lowlands, someone might've tried to harm me or my dog. I still face hostility up here, but at least the cold tempers it out a bit."
She chuckled gently before taking the cup over to the table, where she expected herself to drink it later as the other party contented herself with orange juice. Emphasis on "later," as the conversation at hand quickly turned warm again with all these ideas about... Spicing up the house, apparently. And a tattoo, too? It was admittedly a bit humorous to her, but in a sweet manner. Like a mother listening to her child speak about all sorts of extravagant but still ultimately innocent concepts.
Laughing mirthfully once more, the woman waved her hand aside before replying, "Dear, ummm... Thank you! It flatters me! A lot! I mean... It flatters me a lot that you like my cooking and want to offer this for me as thanks, to be honest. I mean... I'd love to have a painting, or something along those lines. Art exhibitions don't really happen here for obvious reasons... Though I can't help but ask... What would you paint me? Something abstract? A landscape? A portrait of yourself?" Gee, now these possibilities were really making her laugh, and she had to cover her mouth just so that she accidentally wouldn't come off as rude. "I'm not particularly picky or anything like that, but I'm curious. Or..." She paused again, her voice softening ever so slightly. "Is that going to be a surprise, dear?"